Sundberg bets everything on 'samson,' a gamble against industry decay
Christofer Sundberg, the mind behind the explosive Just Cause franchise, is throwing his considerable weight behind ‘Samson: A Tyndalston Story,’ a sprawling open-world crime epic – and a potentially devastating gamble for his fledgling studio, Liquid Swords.
A radical pivot, born of crisis
Today marks the official launch of ‘Samson,’ a title that’s already generating comparisons to Grand Theft Auto, a shadow cast even larger given Rockstar’s imminent ‘GTA 6’ release. But unlike Rockstar’s behemoth, Liquid Swords – founded just two years ago after Sundberg’s departure from Avalanche Studios – is operating on a knife’s edge. ‘Samson’ isn’t just a new game; it’s a ‘make or break’ proposition for Sundberg’s vision and the future of his entire team.
The game, a 62-second trailer showcased at the PC Gaming Show 2025, promises a gritty, high-octane experience, a stark contrast to the increasingly homogenized landscape of modern open-world games. Sundberg’s departure from Avalanche Studios, following four years of silence on the Just Cause series, signaled a clear intent: to forge a path independent of the established AAA development model – one he now believes is actively stifling creativity.
Scaling back, sharpening focus
Initially conceived as a lavish, blockbuster production, ‘Samson’ has undergone a significant transformation. Sundberg’s team has ruthlessly pared back ambitious features like complex RPG systems and base-building mechanics, streamlining the project into a focused, action-packed experience. The result, according to Sundberg, is a raw, visceral game reminiscent of 90s action movies – a deliberate rejection of the bloated, narrative-heavy excesses that dominate the current market.
The reality, however, hit hard in 2025. Liquid Swords was forced to lay off half its workforce, a brutal reminder of the precariousness of pursuing an unconventional path. This restructuring fundamentally altered ‘Samson’’s trajectory, prioritizing immediate impact over long-term scope. Now, players can expect approximately 25 hours of gameplay for a single Euro – a deliberate move to emphasize the game’s intensity and deliver a concentrated experience.
A critique of industry excess
Beyond the game itself, Sundberg hasn’t shied away from criticizing the broader industry. He accuses it of lacking strategic vision and courage, pointing to the recent wave of layoffs and a reliance on sequels as symptoms of a deeper malaise. ‘GTA 6,’ he notes, is a cultural phenomenon – akin to the release of a new iPhone – capturing the attention of even those who don’t typically engage with gaming. But he argues that this focus on established franchises and guaranteed returns has come at the expense of innovation and risk-taking.
“Rockstar sets the bar, you know?” Sundberg stated, with a measured tone. “Every time they release a GTA game, it’s Christmas for everyone. It’s like when Apple launches a new iPhone – it’s something everyone wants, even people who don’t play video games. They buy it because, when it’s released, it’s the talk of the town.”
Despite the inherent risks, Sundberg remains resolute. He’s wagering everything on ‘Samson,’ a bold declaration that could secure his legacy or consign Liquid Swords to the annals of failed independent studios. It’s a high-stakes gamble, undoubtedly, but one born from a fierce conviction – and a deep-seated skepticism of the current industry status quo.